2005 Entry: http://www.fastcompany.com/fast50_05/profile/index.html?chen662
A BIG Thank You to everybody who added their comments to last year’s entry. We were on the hot list for over 4 weeks and I thought I had a real chance until the issue came out and I found out we didn’t make it. ;-( Well it’s time again and I entered again, garnering another finalist status. So help us again, if you have good things to say how PLAYTIME Inc. deserves to be a Fast 50, then please click below and fill in a few good words!
2004 Entry: http://www.fastcompany.com/fast50_04/profile/index.html?chen1837
Here's my 2004 Entry with all the great comments we got, Thanks!
PlayTime Inc. - Creating Life-Changing Adventures!
John Chen
CEO & The Big Kid, PlayTime Inc.
Seattle - WA US
Tell us what you do and the specific challenge you faced.
In 1997 I envisioned a training company that used technology and adventure to infuse powerful team and leadership skills. In 1999, I left Microsoft to pursue this company full-time. I created The Journey, a nine-month program that literally peaks on 14,410 ft. Mt. Rainier. It was a powerful program, but reached a very thin target audience, the challenge was to create a more accessible, yet powerful experience.
What was your moment of truth?
An advisor forwarded an email about the emerging sport of Geocaching, a high-tech treasure hunt with GPS receivers. I broke out my GPS receiver and found my first "Geocache". Then we contacted the website owners who were here in Seattle, WA and found they had 4 team building requests and no resources to take care of them. We formed an immediate partnership and created GeoTeaming, GPS Powered Team Building!
What were the results?
When we started our partnership, we were on the front page of Geocaching.com, getting exposed to 2 million views/day. Now we're exposed to over 20 millions views/day and growing! Over the past 2 years, we've completed over 150 events for over 3,000 people and we're continuing to grow! We receive a tremendous number of leads/month, we've had partnerships form as people have contacted us, we've traveled the world creating events, have won 2 awards (The PSBJ Top 40 Entrepreneur Under 40 and The BBB Innovative Business Practice Awards!) and get to inspire teams around the world.
What's your parting tip?
Know your values, pursue your dreams and you'll never know what opportunities will show up because you're there!
Comments that readers have made about this submission:
What a cool product and story! And I've seen them on the geocaching.com website!
Kelson - Seattle, WA USA
Love the use of technology and adventure to get teams outside and having fun while still learning!
Whittnee - Seattle, WA USA
Smart moves, innovative ideas.
Risard - Bilbao, Spain
John Chen and PlayTime, Inc. infuse profound wisdom while supercharging their teams to be the best they can be. Extreme fun is the best way to go/grow!
John Dewey - Newport Beach, CA USA
Outstanding organization providing teamwork training and interesting, effective coaching based on research and fun. Great organization and John Chen is the best.
Christel Cherry - Kirkland, WA USA
Playtime Inc have developed a business that can make a real difference to peoples lives. We are currently investigating the possibility of bringing some of their knowledge to Northern Ireland as a means of bringing our two divided communities together. Playtime remind us all that success in business can be more than just the bottom line on a spreadsheet.
John Magee, IBI Limited - Omagh, Northern Ireland.
Playtime, Inc. is an awesome company run with certain playful inspiration! The benefits for a company who sends their employees to do a team building exercise are incredible and profit-making to say the least! I am certain after participating that it will be life changing for everyone involved!!! Thanks John~~~Tanya in Austin, TX
Tanya Phillips - Austin, TX USA
This is a wonderful combination of fun, excitement, technology, and interaction to help get people to come together, challenge themselves and others, build and foster teamwork and have fun! Thanks John!!
Kurt Rowe - Sarasota, Florida USA
We had a terrific time when we used Play Time Inc to organize a geocaching event for us. It was amazing to find such a fun way to have my whole team figure out how to work to achieve individual goals and also bargain with each other to achieve a group goal. We learned a lot from the event. I frequently think back to the learnings from the day in my every day work as a manager at Microsoft.
Gayna Williams - Seattle, WA, USA
Playtime - a fantastic company that provides people an opportunity to learn about themselves as well as how to interact with others to achieve difficult goals.
Curt Humes - Seattle Washington USA
I agree this is a great company and is very interesting to participate in learning about people. Thomas Chen - Stockton, CA
Thomas Chen - Stockton, CA, USA
Playtime is a very innovative company that utilizes some of the best experiential methods out there to achieve success.
Michelle Cummings - Littleton, CO USA
Simply the best John! A unique experience added to our "wild" adventures on Vancouver Island.
Sue Bosdet, Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts & Spa - Vancouver Island, BC Canada
Playtime is innovative, fun, and out-of-the box. John Chen and Playtime have changed my life in a profound way.
Marta Cappa - Bellevue, WA, USA
Ever since I met John Chen I have been amazed by his ability to innovate, take risks, and inspire others. His tireless efforts to use technological advances to help teambuilding efforts is incredible - and effective. Play Time Inc. is cutting-edge and beyond!
Chris Widener - Issaquah, Washington
John Chen is a fantastic coach and a creative innovator, and I love his use of the adventure experience to build teamwork.
Sandy Oluwek - Oceanside, CA USA
Our company has had first hand experience with Playtime Inc. John and his team started by providing training to our teens. They emerged as totally different people--confident, inspired, and ready for the world. We then had Playtime Inc. lead our staff through a four hour team building session. It was a lot of fun, we learned a lot about each other, and the new staff members got a chance to brag that their team found the most items in the geoteaming exercise. This is a unique company with a big heart and a true desire to inspire us all to do our best. Go John!
Trish Millines Dziko - Seattle, WA
Playtime is a fantastic organization that offers a truly unique product allowing organizations to overcome teaming issues and barriers while having a great time.
Chris Kutach - Seattle, WA USA
John and his company are an innovative, team building resource. I'm increasingly amazed by his enthusiasm, leadership, and vision!
LeAnne Moss - Seattle, WA
I work for an event management company and we used the services of Play Time for a team buidling day in San Francisco. By the end of the day everyone had had such a great time they wanted to go back out into the streets of San Francisco to find the few caches they hadn't found. This concept is so different than any other team building, it's not cheesy it uses the mind and body.
Tracy Barnard - San Francisco, CA USA
John and PlayTime Inc have hit the nail on the head. Extreme teambuilding experiences lead to better workplace relationships which leads to greater innovation and productivity. What's not to like about that??
James Chen - San Francisco, CA USA
There is something so organic in the learning with fun and technology that Playtime brings. I have participated in many experiential trainings and "Herding Cats", a team building workshop, was the first time I participated in "ropes" type challenges that didn't scare me! In fact it was the best "fun" learning I have had! If you don't know Playtime--you should.
Mary Bigelow - Seattle, WA, USA
Playtime's John chen came and did a two hour training session on team building for 70 nonprofits during an intense 4 day conference. The nonprofits never get to experience this type of training. They loved it and were in awe. And after seeing some of the activities in progress it becomes so clear why we do fall short of our goals but the activities show us how much we are capable of through team building.
Curtis Brown, Brandinthebox.com - Washington
I love to work with John Chen and his team at Playtime Inc.. As a DMC in the Seatte area, teambuilding programs are part of the services we offer and John is always our first choice to offer our clients. Normally I am not in operations, but I love to run the teambuilding events with John, because I learn so much for myself. We have 15 offices nationwide and all of them offer teambuilding with Playtime Inc. - Way to go John!
Hella Cascorbi - Seattle, Washington
As an org consultant for a software company in Redmond I am responsible for 1,000+ employees' morale, teamwork and leadership development. We're excited to work with John and his team to develop cutting edge programs for our people. Blending technology and human systems is what we're all about, and so is PlayTime!
Chris Shaffer - Woodinvilee, WA
I experienced John's "services" first hand just a few weeks ago. I believe for any company to excell, all employees need to feel valued and empowered to make a difference. John Chen's company creates an arena for this to occur for every player in his events. In a single day, John will provide immediate tangible impact for all to see. Title's and positions of authority dissappear and new strengths emerge in people that you may never expect. It's an experience that can bring new confidences, better communication and lasting change! If I'm comparing Playtime Inc. to other companies that have proven themselves, I feel John's influence to affect the success of others - not just himself puts him head and shoulders above the rest! He has my vote, hands down!
Dawn McMillion, Sales Director Kenmore Air - Kenmore, WA USA
John and PlayTime rock! Inspiration and innovation, par excellence!
John Lalonde - Seattle, WA
John's ability to focus outside the box really gives a unique and exciting edge to teambuilding. Very inspiring.....
Lauren Schur - Seattle, WA USA
The Journey 2001 was a great experience, and worth every penny. It creates a significant positive impact, and provides invaluable life knowledge. Playtime is doing something unique here; they are providing a much-needed service to our community of current and future leaders.
Paton Lewis - Seattle, WA, USA
I have had the pleasure to participate in multiple Playtime events and have been delighted each time. The Playtime staff helps you to recognize potential in yourself that you didn't realize you had and they make it fun! John Chen's energy and passion are a significant factor in the success of Playtime and why his events are so memorable. Thanks again John!
Arden - Snohomish, WA
John Chen lives the story that we all imagine for ourselves -- knowing your heart's work, generating the energy that attracts others, giving your best to where you're going, and most importantly, being grateful for everyone's contribution, not matter how small.
Mark Shimada, The Boeing Leadership Center - Seattle, WA
Fun & innovative! Can make a real difference in people's lives.
Milkana Stefanova - Seattle, WA
John gets what is most important in a technology driven world- People. It is obvious that he cares that people come away from his events richer for the experience.
Troy Hilton - Seattle
Playtime provided our staff with a wonderful retreat and gave new staff members and old staff members a wonderful way to connect, compete and become a team. High Tech and High Touch is John Chen and Playtime. They are also wonderful with the kids we serve at the Technology Access Foundation, where they provide Job Rediness training.
Liz Peterson - Seattle, WA USA
John Chen has been amazingly inspirational, not ONLY in the results he's created in his business, but in the pursuit of building his incredible business itself! For anyone who knows what it truly takes to birth a successful enterprise from scratch, who John IS is even more than what he and his team DOES (and what they do, they do impressively and impactfully!)
David Donhoff, www.NoBullMortgage.com - Kirkland, WA, USA
John Chen's vision and ability to inspire others is amazing. Any conversation with John will have you feeling motivated, ready to charge and know you will conquer. Playtime Inc. is now and the future.
Melissa Johansen - Seattle, WA, USA
John and Play Time have always been willing to share there fun and knowledge with youth programs.
Sam Tower WA 4-H Challenge program - Tacoma Washington
I've had two experiences with Play Time, and they have each led to significant positive changes in the way I view and conduct my team activities. This is great stuff!
Professor Mark Haselkorn - Seattle, WA
John is an inspiration as someone who lives what he teaches. I had the pleasure of working (climbing) with John and Playtime Inc. in the Tetons. His energy and excitement help people achieve what they previously thought impossible. Keep up the great work!
Stephen Koch - Jackson, WY, USA
PlayTime's teambuilding exercises were exciting and fun and uniquely well designed to appeal to modern work needs.
Alex Hopmann - Seattle, WA, USA
John Chen, The Big Kid at Playtime, is a courageous, creative, compassionate and cool guy. He honors people, planet, profit and leads with his heart. It's always a treat to be around John.
Billie McKibben - Kent, WA
Play time and John Chen do an excellant job of confidence building and teamwork. The expierence is worth the time and cost.
Bill Eskil - Bellevue
John led an effective retreat that really helped foster communication within our organization. It invigorated new members and revitalized old staff. Great work, keep it up!
Zithri Ahmed Saleem - Seattle, Washington
PlayTime Inc has some great opportunities for team building using the lastest technological gadgets and resources.
Aaron Rowe - Seattle, WA USA
Imagine my suprise on my first day on the job with terms like: Playtime Inc.,Staff retreat,Teambuilding,Teamplaying,Old and new staff meet,connect,compete,communicate,meet the deadline, share the rewards.John Chen has created a fun method to teach a team and inspire them to do their best. What a great way to start.
Ron Toston - Seattle, WA. USA
There is no better way to challenge yourself to find out what your made of and who you are.
Gary Ailes - Carson City, Nevada, USA
I thought I was rating them at a ten since I clicked under the 10 & was not paying attention to the number of dots available.
Gary Ailes - Carson City, Nevada, USA
We need more companies like this one. Great concept and awesome execution.
Dave Willis - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
John is an inspirational individual. His passion and expertise are visible in all that does.
Brandon Albers - Edmonds, WA
John's an inspiration to us all. He shows how to make your dreams come true with tremendous energy and great creativity.
Claire - Snohomish. WA
PlayTime Inc. helped tap my potential using a the latest technology, an abundance of creativity, and best of all, lots of FUN. It's a winning combination.
Elisa - USA
John Chen's story is incredible...I knew him in the planning stages of Playtime when he retired from Microsoft and it is taking shape the way he dreamed. John is an incredible coach and trainer too. His specialty is experiential learning...learning by doing....This company is moving the right direction and FAST!!! I just wish I lived in Seattle to participate in his programs!
Scott Moskowitz - West Hempstead, NY, USA
We had the opportunity to have John and the Playtime Team work with all of our 160 employees for our All Employee Training Day. The GPS event was wildly successful! We covered the city of Seattle from the Space Needle to the baseball field of Safeco Field. The day gave the organization an amazing opportunity to break down barriers between departments and talk about our personal and organizational commitment.
Mary Alida - Seattle, WA
It's been a delight to watch John's journey unfold over the last couple of years. He really gets it. What he's done with Playtime, and the way he has done it, is inspiring. Da man got passion!
Curt Rosengren - Seattle, WA
John's facilitation of the program, technology use and fun setting inspire to bring out participant's personality characteristics and skill set. A creative and effective way to really learn about youself and your team.
Tammy Miller - Seattle, WA
I participated in a Geocaching course that my boss purchased at a benefit auction. John Chen had donated the course to benefit an organization that helps women and girls learn about leadership and courage through outdoor activities. The course was fun and my work team learned the importance of balance between the individual drive to succeed and the synergy of a team playing fully. Playtime challenges intelligent people with fun, creative exercises and works on whatever priority is important to the organization. Great company with amazing vision!
Arleen Hiuga - Redmond, Washington
John provides awesome value with his unique team building adventures.
John Clifford - Seattle, WA USA
Playtime is cutting edge with their geo-teaming. They combine cool, hip technology with team building. I also climbed Mt. Rainier with them and they put me in touch with top notch trainers for physical and mental training and I summitted, thanks to Playtime! I beat the odds as only 50% of all people who attempt actually summit. What an amazing experience.
Anne Donahe - Portland, OR USA
Playtime is cutting edge with their geo-teaming. They combine cool, hip technology with team building. I also climbed Mt. Rainier with them and they put me in touch with top notch trainers for physical and mental training and I summitted, thanks to Playtime! I beat the odds as only 50% of all people who attempt actually summit. What an amazing experience.
Anne Donahe - Portland, OR USA
I know John Chen since 1997;we met on a fantastic leadership programm and he is most outstanding in his role as a leader; although I have not been able to come to the USA to be on one of his own programms, I would trust him to give everyone who does his programm a lifechanging experience and merely reading what John puts together and accomplishes gives me the energy I need, and I know his system works, thanks John, you are the best!
Janny Meerstadt - The Netherlands
An innovative approach assisting those wishing to test thier skills and development, physically and intellectually. It is exciting to watch this company expand and reach their goals. Go John Chen and Playtime!
Sharon - Portland, Or. USA
The mark of a truly great organization is the consistent delivery of their products or services coupled with the intense desire to constantly improve their organization, their people and their offerings. John Chen and the team of Playtime Inc. exhibit this drive each and every day. I have witnessed the lives of participants challenged and positively changed, and team synergy taken to new levels based on the dynamics of John Chen and Playtime Inc.
Jim Humphries, CEO - The Master's Experience - Snoqualmie, WA
I was one of the brave souls who participate in The Journey 2000. Summitting Mt. Rainier was an absolute thrill. John has a unique ability to get people to stretch beyond their self-imposed limitations. PlayTime Inc. is a Fast Company.
Terry - Portland, Oregon
I see I forgot to put the websites on my post! You can see a video about GeoTeaming at http://www.playtimeinc.com/products_geoteaming.htm (then click the video link under the picture) or find out more about GPS Treasure Hunting at http://www.geocaching.com!
John Chen, CEO & The Big Kid - Seattle, WA USA
I've known John for nearly ten years and he's one of the most inspirational, energetic people you'll ever meet. He and his company are doing great, life changing work.
Hal Howard - Sammamish, WA
John Chen created a truly unique training company, Play Time, Inc. I recently attended a geo caching event - what a unique team building experience.
Krista Rosemary - Kent, Washington
John taught me how to incorporate technology into team building. I learned how to use several new devices while forming a bond with new co-workers. Thanks for the unique experience.
Asa Tate - Bellevue, WA
Playtime Inc. is like very few companies. At its helm, John Chen leads with excitement, energy and balance. Whether you are looking for personally rewardin!g adventure or you are helping your team to get in synch, Playtime will help you achieve your goals. I can't imagine a more deserving company to be part of the Fast 50
Edithf - Mercer Island, WA
John has inspired the students and staff of Technology Access Foundation to "play full out" - to give our absolute best all the time. His trainings on teamwork and leadership are thought-provoking and innovative.
Erica Sabatino - Seattle, WA
PlayTime Inc. has offered me an opportunity to grow and develop personally and professionally. John has acted as a mentor and advisor often pushing me outside my comfort zone into a potential growth zone all with humor and grace. I am grateful for his support, trust, and vision, which often seeing in others potential were they might not. John truly lives the motto, “ Life is an Adventure”!
Jo Fjellman - Bothell, WA
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